Boks ready to rock and roll against Georgia in festive Mbombela, says captain Kolisi

Maybe it is something in the water of the Lowveld, possibly it is the air, but there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a Springbok match at the Mbombela Stadium, where the Springboks host Georgia on Saturday evening (5.10pm).

The Boks have a perfect record at the wildlife-themed stadium that was built for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

Last year, they put on a terrific show in celebrating Eben Etzebeth’s record as the most capped Springbok by blasting Argentina off the park.

The year before, the Boks were outstanding in outclassing the All Blacks at a venue where the stand supports are in the shape of giraffes.

The Mbombela Stadium is also where Siya Kolisi made his debut for the Springboks in 2013 and, fittingly, it is here that he will play his first international match of the season, having shrugged off injury.

“It’s always fantastic to play here, I will never forget my debut in this stadium against Scotland,” said Kolisi.

“The vibe at the stadium is always amazing, and we know that it will be similar to last week in Gqeberha, where the crowd really got involved and inspired us. We are very grateful to the people coming to the stadium. They definitely lift us, so we are grateful for their support.”

Kolisi is back in his familiar No 6 jersey after missing the series against Italy and the warm-up against the Barbarians.

“It has been tough not playing. I would have loved to have been involved sooner, but just being in the camp and seeing all the guys again has been good for me,” he said. “The environment in the team helps a lot both on and off the field.”

One of Kolisi’s tasks in the game will be to reassure the three players making their debuts in the Bok front row. Props Boan Venter and Neethling Fouche, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe are uncapped.

“I’m very proud of the guys earning their first Test caps, and as a group, we feel there is enough experience in the team for them to know we have their backs.

“They’ve been training against the likes of Ox (Nche), Wilco (Louw), and Malcolm (Marx), among others, and the players around them have played Test rugby before. Over and above that, a scrum is not only about the front row, it involves everyone in the pack doing their bit, and everyone in the team knows what they have to do.”

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick spoke highly of the Georgians and said the Boks know exactly how tough their players are, and how passionate they will be to represent their country.

“Georgia are a physical team, and they pride themselves on their set pieces, so we know having to match that will be the toughest part for us,” said Stick.

“I’ve been to Georgia, and I’ve seen how tough their players are, but the key for us is to improve on our standards consistently. As coaches, we feel there is still room for improvement, so we are hoping to see the players execute the game plan as well as possible and to play with the intensity we expect.”

Both Stick and Kolisi wished the Junior Springboks luck for their World Rugby U20 Championship final against New Zealand on Saturday.

“We follow all their games, and they are certainly making the country proud,” said Stick. “One can see that they know what it means to represent the country, and what stands out for me is their fighting spirit and the cohesion in the team. We’ll watch the game and support them all the way.”

Kolisi added: “They are definitely setting a standard, and it’s great to see how they are taking their opportunities. Everyone in the squad is doing what is expected of them, so we wish them well.”

The Junior Boks’ final in Italy kicks off at 8.30pm.

Teams

South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter. Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse.

Georgia: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Giorig Kveseladze,11 Alexander Todua, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhandidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Vladimer Chachanidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Irakli Aptsiauri, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze. Bench: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Demur Epremeidze, 20 Sando Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Tornike Jalagonia, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Tornike Kakhoidze